Geelong, Australia…meeting up with old friends and making new ones

On the way to the winery

 2013 seems like a long time ago..10 years have gone by fast since we started cruising with VikingCruises. On that first cruise along the Rhine river we met two lovely women who were on their vacation also. As often happens, we found we enjoyed each other’s company for those eight days and exchanged information when we parted. Over the years we have continued to often send a note back and forth over the seas between our home and theirs..in Adelaide Australia. When I saw we were going to Melbourne ( and not knowing anything about the distance of Australian cities) on this cruise I sent them a note and wondered if there would be any chance of seeing them . After Al showed me on the map how far it would be, I realized it was really a shot in the dark for Tracy and Sheila to be able to see us in person.. But luck is smiling on us and instead of touring around Geelong, we decided to rent a car and drive to meet them at a nearby winery! Susan and Steve came along with us and it was a delight to have both a driver and navigator giving us our own tour of the Ballerine countryside.  Al managed the driving on the wrong side well while Steve found interesting roads for us to explore. We met Tracy and Sheila plus their friend Donna and Pete for lunch at a winery. It was awesome 

The Jack Rabbit Winery

We got there early, so what to do?  Of Course Taste wine!

The offered a tasting of 6 wines either all reds,all whites or a mixed. We decided on one red and one white per couple,then we could try 12 all together. The serving technique was interesting… test tubes full of wine. 

The whites were a combo of sparkling,rose,Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.

The reds were eclectic and delightful.

Wine tasting with Susan and Steve

Our tasting companion.. an Australian magpie

Our lunch bunch: Pete,Donna,Al,Me,Shelia,Tracy,Steve and Susan

It was a wonderful time! It was so great to see our friends and get to know new friends. We made plans to come back another time and visit them in Adelaide soon! After a great lunch it was time for goodbyes, we had to head back to turn the rental car in and Tracy & Shelia were heading to the airport to fly home. 

It was such a great thing to be able to visit and enjoy each others company for the afternoon. 

Our Navigator (Steve) headed us in the direction of a couple of lighthouses near the coast on our way back.

The queens cliff “black “lighthouse

One of only a handful in th world that is unpainted black stone. The only one in the Southern Hemisphere.This lighthouse is located inside Fort Queenscliff guarding the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.

Queenscliff Low White lighthouse. The platform next to it is the updated modern lights. Along the beach where this light resides there is a memorial walk celebrating the lives of many seamen who lost their lives in treacherous waters. 

Not sure what this is, but it was an interesting view

After a lovely afternoon in Bellerine, we ended our drive by heading back into Geelong. Along the way I noticed once again how the old and new blend well in the city.

It was a great day for us and the adventure of driving on the wrong side of the road was a good trial for Al who will be doing all the driving when we arrive in the UK in May. Now that we know Steve is comfortable being the navigator life will be good and we will have a great adventure.